A high school where pupils make 'exceptional progress' in English and maths has retained its 'good' Ofsted grade following a one-day inspection.

The inspection at Broadland High, in Hoveton, on April 27, came shortly after headteacher Aron Whiles joined the school after Easter, and he was told it was 'ideally placed to secure further improvements over the next few years, and make the school an outstanding one'.

In a letter to Mr Whiles, which Ofsted is due to publish on Monday, inspector John Mitcheson said: 'Standards are consistently high. The proportion of pupils achieving at least five GCSEs at grade A* to C including English and mathematics has been above average for the past three years. Based on the below-average starting points of last year's Year 11 pupils, this represents remarkable progress.'

Mr Whiles said he was pleased the report recognised the high academic performance at the school over a number of years, and added: 'The bit that really stood out loud and proud for me was around how positively the students spoke about the school. You ultimately do what you do for the students, and they spoke very positively.'

The inspector also praised the 'good progress' made by disadvantaged pupils, and said students were 'responding positively' to Mr Whiles's decision to introduce a stricter uniform policy shortly after he took up his position.

Mr Whiles attributed the good progress made by disadvantage pupils – a key priority for Ofsted in our region – to having a member of staff with a clear remit to work with them, looking at attendance, academic performance, well being and safeguarding.

He added that the improvement in uniform had also led to an

improvement in conduct within school.

The letter said: 'You acknowledge that results in science fall well short of those achieved in other core subjects, and have taken steps to improve this.' Mr Whiles said the subject was already on a trajectory to improve.

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